Andrea T. Vavonese focuses her practice on government contracting and commercial litigation.

Practice & Background

Ms. Vavonese serves as general counsel for government contracting firms, including a construction company and a technology management company, advising on all aspects of dealing with the federal government, including procurement, contract negotiations, national security, protection of intellectual property, changes, compliance and disputes. Ms. Vavonese counsels clients on matters impacting government contractors, such as suspension and debarment, small business regulations and the Freedom of Information Act. She brings claims and litigates appeals against the federal government on behalf of government contractors. She also represents clients, including technology companies, on litigation matters relating to contract disputes, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, cybersquatting, construction, employment and earnout disputes.

Ms. Vavonese has conducted jury and bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. She has argued motions in federal, state and administrative courts and has taken and defended numerous depositions. She has handled federal bid protests and federal and state appeals, including matters before numerous Federal Boards of Contract Appeals.

From 2002 to 2006 Ms. Vavonese served as litigation counsel for VeriSign, Inc., where she defended and prosecuted lawsuits, governmental investigations and subpoenas for the company and its subsidiaries worldwide. She handled patent, trademark, domain name, unfair competition, earnout and employment litigation. She also worked closely with senior management to develop litigation strategy and mitigate litigation risk.

Ms. Vavonese worked as an auditor for The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) from 1991 to 1994. She became a certified public accountant in 1993.

Ms. Vavonese was a member of the Catholic University Law Review at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
Community Involvement:

Serves on the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Council - Career Committee
Serves on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Adoption, a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and awareness services
Serves on the Board of Directors of Developmental Connections, Inc., a nonprofit organization that connects families dealing with developmental delays with the providers of early child developmental services
Serves on the Board of Directors of her Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization.

Speaking Engagements:

Moderator, In House Counsel on the Front Line in the Battle Against Fraud, before the General Counsel Committee of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, April 2012
Panelist, Critical Developments in Social Media Law (CLE), before the General Counsel Committee of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, May 2011
Panelist, Landing in the “Rocket Docket”: Litigating in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (CLE), February 12, 2009.